A Newport County player battling alcoholism has been jailed for four years and four months after admitting a pair of drunken attacks.

Chris Zebroski, who has played for the League Two side since 2013, was told any impact the court case had on his career was "in your own hands".

The 28-year-old first set about a taxi driver and another motorist in a road rage assault on a Sunday lunchtime in Swindon.

'Give me your money or I'll hurt you'

Then a few weeks later, while he was on bail, he attacked two men going home from a night out in the town telling them: "Give me your money or I’ll hurt you".

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how the first incident took place after Zebroski was involved in a minor shunt with a taxi on December 14.

The defendant, who smelled of alcohol, tried to offer cash for the damage he had caused but the cabbie said the police should be called.

Zebroski said he had to go, lying that he had a heavily pregnant girlfriend and needed to get to the hospital.

When the other driver said he had a taken a picture of him and his BMW on his mobile, he became aggressive and, after slapping him - sending his glasses flying - he wrestled the handset from him.

Ten punches

The taxi driver, fearing he would also be attacked, ran off. Zebroski followed, first in his car and then on foot for several hundred yards.

When he caught his victim, Zebroski landed more than 10 punches, demanding he too hand over his phone.

After two passersby, including one with a child, intervened he ran away from the scene. He was arrested after the pictures on the phones were examined.

He told police he thought he may have been over the limit which is why he was trying to get away from the scene.

Mr Meeke said Zebroski was charged with the offences on January 30, but just 10 days later he attacked two men in the street in a drunken attack.

'Mr Robbery'

As the pair, together with the girlfriend of one of the men, walked home Zebroski appeared in front of them and said: "If you give me your money there won’t be a problem", followed by "Give me your money of I’ll f*** you up".

Adopting a boxer’s stance he then punched one of them to the ground and grappled with the other before running off when the police turned up.

When he was arrested he said "Robbery? Come on, be serious", and told the police he was called "Mr Robbery". He later said he could recall nothing of the incident because he was so drunk.

Zebroski, who gave the court and address in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, pleaded guilty to robbery, attempted robbery and two counts of assault with intent to rob.

The court heard he had a string of previous convictions for driving and also matters of violence.

Reached rock bottom

Rob Ross, defending, said his client was an alcoholic and had now reached rock bottom as he faced jail.

When he is sober he said he was a pleasant man, unlike the person who had committed the offences - which he said he could make no excuses for.

He said were he not sent to custody his club would stand by him and the directors had written a reference for the court.

Mr Ross pointed out his client's career was age-dependent and a lengthy jail term may spell the end of it, reducing his earning potential.

Jailing Zebroski at Friday's hearing, Recorder Ian Lawrie QC said: “You have been alerted to your problems and you have in reality done nothing about it.

“The last half decade you have had chances to sort out your problems and you have clearly failed.

“If it shortens your professional career it is a matter of regret, but that consequence lies in your own hands.”

Football contract terminated

In a statement, Newport County said: "We have noted the prison sentence handed down to striker Chris Zebroski.

"The club have always had the welfare and wellbeing of Chris at heart and have worked hard with Chris and the PFA throughout.

"However, we would like to make it clear that we do not condone any of the actions for which Zebroski has been found guilty.

"Regrettably, the club are left with no other option than to terminate Chris' contract. Newport County will not be making any further comment on the situation."

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said Zebroski's actions were "extremely frightening" for his victims and are likely to have a "long lasting effect" on everyone involved.

He added: “Zebroski was in a prime position to be an excellent role model to today’s youth, but sadly, his actions, while under the influence of alcohol, have almost certainly put an end to what was set to be a promising career in football.”